Switch mechanism



Nov. 30, 1937. A EN EBUSCH 2,100,524

SWITCH MECHANISM Original Filed July 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. HANS SENGEBUSCH BY WW ATTORNEY.

SWITCH MECHANISM Original Filed July 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. HANS SENGEBUSCH ATTORNEY.

1937- H. SENGEBUSCH SWITCH MECHANISM Original Filed July 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1\\ 'EXTOR HA N5 SENGEB USCH ATTORNEY.

NOV. 30, 1937. H SENGEBUSCH 2,100,524

SWITCH MECHANISM Original Filed July 29, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MN 33 2/ 3mm! \wm 36 26 25 55 35' 2/ 2o 39 20 INVENTOR.

HANS SENGEBUSCH BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH MECHANISM Original application July 29, 1935, Serial No. 33,705. Divided and this application June 17,

1936, Serial No. 85,685

8 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to automatic switching apparatus, but is particularly concerned with the production of a switch in the nature of an improvement upon that type having a horizontal motion and then a rotary motion in a vertical plane at right angles to the horizontal motion.

The main object of the invention is to provide improved mounting arrangements for mounting the various switches with respect to their associated switch banks.

In the specific embodiment of the invention, the operating motor comprises a spring which is wound up during the restoring movement of the switch to replace the energy expended by a previous operation. This spring motor actuates the wiper shaft first in a step-by-step horizontal movement and then in a downward stepby-step rotary movement under the control of an escapement mechanism and a single operating magnet. A change-over magnet controls a looking arrangement by means of which the wiper shaft is normally looked against rotary motion, normally permitting, however, horizontal movement of the wiper shaft. When the changeover magnet operates the locking arrangement, the wiper shaft is then looked against further horizontal motion and is permitted to rotate.

Another object is to provide a switch of the foregoing type which may be readily modified to operate spring combinations at any desired level or combination of levels of the wipers.

One of the features of the invention relates to an improved escapement mechanism wherein a holding pawl in addition to holding the shaft in its operated positions also acts as a part of the escapement mechanism in cooperation with the armature of the operating magnet.

This application is a division of my prior application, Serial No. 33,705, filed July 29, 1935.

The invention is disclosed in four sheets of drawings which show various views of the switch mechanism and mounting arrangement.

Fig. 1 shows a front view of one of the switches mounted in place on an upright carrying the switchbanks and female jacks for such switches.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the switch mechanism.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the switch mechanism looking from right to left of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the switch mechanism and upright with the switch. mechanism a little to the left of its normal mounting position. on the upright.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view as seen from line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view as seen from line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the switch frame in its mounting position on the upright on the line AA of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 shows a side View of the upright with a switch mechanism placed in its initial position preparatory to mounting the switch on the upright in its mounting position.

Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of the wiper shaft assembly.

The switch frame for mounting the operating magnets and mechanisms is preferably cast in a form somewhat resembling a ladder with two side portions I and 2 and two center portions I. The base side portion 2 is shown partly in full and dotted lines in Fig. 8, while the top side portion I is shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The two center portions I and I are shown more clearly in Fig. 2, while only the front portion I is shown in Fig. 1. The changeover magnet 41 and the operating magnet 48 are mounted on the rear center portion I while the changeover armature 65, the eleventh position operating lever 55; and the level operating levers 59 and 60 are rotatably mounted on the front center portion I. A plate 3 fastened to the side portions I and 2 is provided for mounting the off normal spring assembly 53, the changeover spring assembly II, and the eleventh position spring assembly 51. An L-shaped plate 3' directly below plate 3 (see Fig. 3) secured to the side portions I and 2 is provided for mounting the restoring magnets 50 and retaining spring I4 for armature I3 of the operating magnet 48. A plate 4, as seen in Fig. 2, secured to the side portions I and 2 is provided for mounting the spring assemblies 63 and 64 operated by rubber bushings SI and 62 on the level operating levers 59 and 60. The base side portions 2 of the cast frame is provided with a key hole locking lug 46 to properly position and lock the frame to the upright 8. The vertical plate I and guide plate I are fastened to frame 2 by screws 2. The changeover armature 65 is pivoted in a hole drilled in frame 2 and in a lug on the front portion l. The off normal armature 5| is pivoted on a pin extending through frame 2 as shown in Fig. 5. The restoring armature is pivoted on a pin extending from frame 2 to frame I. The operating armature I3 is pivoted on a pin extending from frame I to a lug on the rear section I. The stationary changeover guide 69 is fastened to a lug on the front center section I and to the frame I by means of screws. An adjustable back stop 58 is secured to front center section I to limit the front stroke of the eleventh position armature 55 while a lug on this section limits the back stroke. The male jack assembly 90 is mounted on the rear of frame I, while near the center of frame {the operating interrupter springs TI and restoring interrupter springs E i are mounted. The frame I has a recess in which the slotted spring adjusting plate 8! is fastened to enable varying tension to be applied to spring 8I which restores the restoring armature 8%]. The restoring armature back stop 82 and the operating armature back stop I5 are similarly and adjustably fastened to frame I. Screw 92 extending through frame I is provided for holding a lug 93 which limits the stroke of the pawl 4| pivoted on armature 8Il. Pawl AI is pivoted on armature and is provided with a tail which strikes the adjustable stop 87 on frame I when armature 80 is restored by spring 8| in order to remove pawl 5| from the teeth BIi of the barrel 2?. The front center part of frame I has a cone shaped portion in which the sleeve 3? of barrel 21 freely rotates and around which the operating spring 43 is wound. Holding pawl 4, normally in engagement with teeth 36, is pivotally mounted in frame I and has an arm I9 which engages the lug I9 on armature I3 so that when armature I3 is operated to engage teeth 36 on barrel 2? the pawl 46 is disengaged from the teeth to permit rotation of barrel 21. Armature 80 has a rubber bushing 83 for operating interrupter springs 84and armature 13 has a rubber bushing 16 for operating interrupter springs 11. Changeover armature 65 has a flat restoring spring 68 which rests against the heel piece of the changeover magnet 41 to restore the armature.

The wiper shaft assembly shown in Fig. 9 comprises a shaft I6 upon which the elongated cam 2!! is rigidly secured by means of a pin passing through the cam and shaft. The cam 20 has a cut-out portion, shown more clearly in the cross section of Fig. 5, in which the changeover dog 29 of armature 65 normally rests below the notches of the sleeve 2|. This straight edge formed by the cut-out portion of cam 29 causes the operation of the eleventh position cam lever 30 in case the shaft I5 is rotated in its eleventh step. Metal washers 20 are placed over the shaft I6 on either end of elongated cam 2. Sleeve 2I has ten notches cut in the edge of its cut-out portion, as'shown, and the changeover dog 29 is raised into one of these notches when the changeover magnet 47 is operated. A por tion of the sleeve 2i is bent into a straight edge 2I which normally slides in the slot of guide 32 fastened to plate 1., By means of edge 2! and the slot. inguide 32 the sleeve 2! is permitted to move horizontally but is prevented fromrotating with the shaft 5., A metal cola lar 33 rigidly secured to sleeve 2I acts as a bearing in which the shaft I6 rotates. A similar flanged collar 34 fits into the right-hand end of sleeve 2I and is secured to sleeve 2! by means of screws. The flanged collar 3 also acts as a bearing for shaft I6 and is provided with an oil retaining assembly 3'3 comprising a felt and a metal washer. In a like manner the spacing collar 35 is provided with an oil retaining assem y A metal block .22 secured to shaft It by screw 23 is provided with a pin 26 upon which the swivels 25 arerotatably positioned; the pin 26 being held in block 22 by means of screw 24 (see Fig. 6) in such a manner as to allow the swivels 25 to rotate freely on the pin. A slotted barrel 21 open at one end and having a sleeve 31 (Fig. 9) at the other end permits the shaft assembly to slide horizontally and rotate freely therein. The teeth 36 cut in the periphery of the flange of sleeve 31 and pawls it and 4| (Fig. 6) are the medium by means of which the barrel 2! is" rotated. Barrel 2'! has two spiral slots 38 and 39 cut therein. Slot 38 acts as a guide for the innermost swivel 25 to provide horizontal movement to the shaft assembly when the barrel 2'! is rotated at a time when the wiper assembly is locked against rotary movement. Slot 38 is provided in order to have access to set screw 23 so that the block 22 may be properly adjusted on shaft I6. A cap 32 screws on the end of sleeve 31 and is held in place by a pin passing through cap 42 and sleeve 3'5. Cap 42 is provided with curved slots on its outer edge for holding the tensioned actuating escapement spring it at one end while the spring is held at its other end by a lug on frame I. The outermost swivel 26 rotates and slides between the edges of armature 65 and guide 69 to produce horizontal movement of shaft I6 when armature 65 is in its restored position. 'When armature 65 is operated dog 29 of armature 65 enters one of the notches of sleeve H to prevent further horizontal movement of shaft it and the armature 65 is raised to permit the outermost swivel to pass under armature 65 when the operating magnet is operated to rotate the barrel 2?. Since the swivels 25 are first moved horizontally and then rotated and since these swivels are secured to shaft IS the corresponding movements are imparted to shaft I6.

Fixed to sleeve 2I is a flat plate drilled with holes 91 which correspond to each horizontal stepping position of shaft I6. Studs 96 are secured in predetermined ones of the holes 9? and such studs by engaging the rollers in levers 59 and 69 during horizontal movement of the shaft I6 rotate such levers to operate spring assemblies I53 and (it. By studs 95 in any predetermined hole 9'! the level operating springs 63 or 64 may be operated at any predetermined level or horizontal stepping position of the shaft.

The switch mechanisms are mounted on vertical L-shaped uprights 89 in a horizontal position one above the other. The side 8 of the upright 89 is bent at right-angles to the side L and the latter side is bent at 9 to provide a mounting space for the female-jack assemblies it. A key-hole slot 45 is cut in side 8 for each switch mounting space and cooperates with the key locking lug 45 fastened to the switch frame to assist in positioning and looking a switch mechanism in its proper position on the upright. In addition each switch mounting space in side 8 has a rectangular cut out portion (see Fig. 8) plate '2 of the switches fit to form a tongue and groove locating means. Semi-circular openings on the edge of side 8 are provided for the switch frame rods 5 and 6 to assist in properly locat ing the switch mechanism. Strowger bank assemblies comprising sets of bank contacts I3 are secured to side 8 of the upright by means of bank rods I and II and nuts l0 and II. A locking lever I7 is mounted on bank rod It so as to lock the bank assembly to the switch mechin which the rectangular portion of anism whenthelever I! is rotated as shown in thedotted linesof Fig. 8. The outer metal plates on the bank sets have U-shaped extensions which also act as guides for the switch frame rods 5 and 6 so that the wipers of the switch mechanism are properly positioned with respect to the bank contactswhen locking lever H is in locking position. As seen in Fig. l, a support l4 secured to switch frame rods 5 and 5 by means of screws |4 has a. bronze bearing l5 to support the shaft l6. The switch frame rods 5 and 5 extend through holes in the left side of the cast switch frame to the right side of the cast switch frame where such rods are held in place by screws 5' and 6-. This mounting arrangement was designed primarily to provide an easy means of quickly removing and replacing the switch mechanisms on the switch frame uprights to which the banks |3 are permanently mounted. In addition, this mounting arrangement insures the correct positioning of the wipers with regard to the banks. In order to mount a switch mechanism in one of the mounting spaces on an upright the shaft is held in a horizontal position and the locking lug 46 is inserted in the circular portion of the key-hole slot 45 and then pushed so that the upper edge of lug 46 (as seen in Figs. 7 and 8) engages the narrow edges of slot 45 in upright 8. As the switch mechanism is pushed to the left (Fig. 8), the rectangular portion of the plate I enters the rectangular out out portion of upright 8 and the rods 5 and 6 enter into the semi-circular recesses in upright 8. The lever I1 is then rotated to lock the switch to the banks l3. The switch is now securely held in place by lug 46, guide plate I and lever H. To remove a switch the lever I1 is rotated and the switch mechanism is moved to the right until the lug 46 is opposite the circular portion of keyhole slot 45 from which point the switch may be removed.

The circuits to the magnets, wipers, and springs of the switch mechanism are taken through jack assemblies 39 and 44 to a relay group which controls the operation of the switch. Any relay group is capable of controlling any switch mechanism when connected together through the jack assemblies.

Having described the detail construction and assembly of the switch mechanism an explanation will now be given of its operation. In normal position, the shaft i6 is in such position that wipers l9 are to the right of the right-hand row, or first level, of bank contacts |3. Fig. 1 shows the shaft l6 and wipers |9 in their tenth level or the tenth horizontal stepping position. In normal position of shaft IS the flange 34 operates arm 3| and armature 5| to close and open certain of the spring contacts in off normal spring assembly 53. In order to operate the mechanism in its first or horizontal movement the circuit to operating magnet 43 is completed from the associated relay group (not shown). In response to each impulse magnet 48 operates its armature 13 and positions its end in the rotating path of teeth 36. The lug 19' of armature 13 engages arm 19 of the holding pawl 40 to cause the latter to rotate and disengage from teeth 36 on barrel 2'! thereby causing the barrel 21 to rotate, due to tension on spring 43, onehalf step to engage the end of armature 13. When operating magnet 48 deenergizes the end of armature 13 is withdrawn from the path of teeth 36 but the holding pawl by this time is in a position to engage the next tooth with the result thatanother half step is taken on deenergization of magnet 48. Therefore, for each operation of magnet 48, that is, one energization and one deenergization, barrel 21 is rotated one step. Each rotary step of barrel 2'lat this time causes shaft Hi to move one step in a horizontal direction due to the outermost swivel 25 being held against rotary movement by armature and guide 69 while the innermost swivel 26 slides in the spiral groove 38 of barrel 21 when the latter rotates one step. In this manner the shaft and wipers are stepped in a horizontal direction in a number of steps corresponding to the number of operations of magnet 48. On the first horizontal movement of the shaft, flange 34 is moved away from arm 3| to cause the off-normal armature 5| and off normal springs 53 to operate. In case one of the level marking studs 96 is in position corresponding to the position the shaft has stopped in then the corresponding level springs 63 or 64 are operated.

After the horizontal movement, changeover magnet 4! operates armature 65 above the outermost swivel 25, projects dog 29 in one of the notches of sleeve 2| and operates arm 66 and spring assembly H. Due to the projection of dog 29 in one of the notches of sleeve 2| the shaft and wipers are held against further horizontal movement. Now, when operating magnet 48 is again operated to rotate barrel 2?, the shaft l6 and wipers rotate therewith since the shaft is locked against horizontal movement and the swivel is permitted to pass under armature 55 due to the energized condition of changeover magnet 41. Each operation of magnet 48, therefore, allows the escapement spring 43 to rotate the barrel 2! and shaft l6 one step, the wipers l9 being stepped in engagement with successive bank contacts |3 in the selected level, or row, by successive operations of operating magnet 48. After the first rotary step of shaft Hi the dog 29 rides on cam 20 to maintain the changeover armature in operated position.

The switch shaft i6 and wipers are restored by operations of the restoring magnet 50 which intermittently operates its armature 8|! and pawl 4| to step the barrel 2? and retension spring 43. Each time armature is operated pawl 4| engages one of the teeth 36 to rotate barrel 2! clockwise as seen in Fig. 6, the locking pawl being spring actuated rides over the teeth 36 to prevent any anti-clockwise movement of the barrel 2?. The shaft |6 and barrel 21 are first rotated together until the outermost swivel 25 engages the guide plate 69 at which time the dog 29 is permitted to drop off of cam 26 and disengage from the notch of sleeve 2 Further rotation of barrel 2! now causes the shaft l6 to be restored horizontally step by step until the off normal armature 5| operates the off normal springs to open the circuit to restoring magnet 56. Each operation of armature I30 also causes the rubber bushing 83 to operate interrupter springs 84 to open the circuit restoring magnet 50 and cause its intermittent operations. Similar interrupter springs Tl are controlled by bushing 16 on armature 13 of the operating magnet 48 so that this magnet may be intermittently operated if desired.

As will be seen in the foregoing the switch shaft is stepped first in a horizontal direction and then in a rotary direction to select a certain set of bank contacts and that a single operating magnet controls the escap-ement which produces both movements, while a changeover magnet determines when the horizontal movement is to end and the rotary movement is to begin. A single restoring magnet also restores the shaft both rotary and horizontally to normal position and retensions the escapement operating spring. The switch as shown is designed so as to be capable of directive control in both its'movements, to be capable of directive control in its horizontal movement and automatic in its rotary movement, or automatic in both movements dependent upon slight circuit changes in the associated relay group. Such switch structure may therefore be used as a connector, a selector, or as a finder.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switch mounting arrangement comprising an upright, switchbanks mounted on said upright, a key-hole slot and rectangular opening in said upright for each switch mounting space, switches each including a wiper shaft and wipers for cooperation with said switchbanks, a locking lug on each switch, shoulders on said lugs cooperating with said slots for centering and locking said switches on said upright, and a plate on each switch frame having a tongue section for cooperating with said rectangular openings to assist in centering and locking said switches in place.

2. In a switch mounting arrangement comprising an upright, switchbanks mounted on said upright, a key-hole slot and rectangular opening in said upright for each switch mounting space, switches each including a wiper shaft and wipers for cooperation with said switchbanks, a locking lug on each switch, shoulders on said lugs cooperating with said slots for centering and looking said switches on said upright, a plate on each switch frame'having a tongue section for cooperating with said rectangular openings to assist in centering and locking said switches in place, and means including a locking lever for further locking said switch frame to said switchbanks and upright.

3. In a switch mounting arrangement comprising an upright, switchbanks mounted on said upright, a key-hole slot and rectangular opening in said upright for each switch, mounting space, switches each including a wiper shaft and wipers for cooperation with said switchbanks, a locking lug on each switch, shoulders on said lugs cooperating with said slots for centering and locking said switches on said upright, a plate on each switch frame having a tongue section for cooperating with said rectangular openings to assist in centering and locking said switches in place, female jack assemblies on said upright, and a male jack assembly on each switch frame for meshing with the female jacks when said switches are mounted on said upright.

4. In a switch mounting arrangement comprising an upright, switchbanks mounted on said upright, a key-hole slot and rectangular opening in said upright for each switch mounting space, switches each including a wiper shaft and wipers for cooperation with-said switchbanks, a locking lug on each switch, shoulders on said lugs cooperating with said slots for centering and looking said switches on said upright, a plate on each switch frame having a tongue section for cooperating with said rectangular openings to assist in centering and locking said switches in place, guide rods on each switch frame extending parallel with said shafts, a support between said guide rods near the wiper end of each said shaft, and a bearing in each support for the associated shaft.

5. In a switch mounting arrangement comprising an upright, switchbanks mounted on said upright, a key-hole slot and rectangular opening in said upright for each switch mounting space, switches each including a wiper shaft and wipers for cooperation with said switchbanks, a locking lug on each switch, shoulders on said lugs cooperating with said slots for centering and locking said switches on said upright, a plate on each switch frame having a tongue section for cooperating with said rectangular openings to assist in centering and locking said switches in place, guide rods on each switch frame extending parallel with said shafts, a support between said guide rods near the wiper end of each said shaft, a bearing in each support for the associated shaft, and a locking lever on said switch bank for looking the guide rods to said switchbanks.

6. In a switch mounting arrangement compris-.

ing an upright, switchbanks mounted on said upright, switches each including a wiper shaft and wipers for cooperation with said switchbanks, means for centering and locking said switches on said upright, guide rods on each switch frame extending parallel with said switch shafts, a support between said guide rods near the wiper end of each'said shaft, and a bearing in each support for the associated shaft.

'7. In a switch mounting arrangement comprising an upright, switchbanks mounted on said upright, switches each including a wiper shaft and wipers for cooperation with said switchbanks, means for centering and locking said switches on said upright, guide rods on each switch frame extending parallel with said switch shafts, a support between said guide rods near the wiper end of each said shaft, a bearing in each support for the associated shaft, semi-circular openings in said upright and means on said switch banks for centering and locking said guide rods to said switchbanks. I 1

8. In a switch mounting arrangement comprising a vertical upright, switchbanks mounted on said upright parallel therewith, switches each including a shaft, wipers on said shafts for cooperation with said switchbanks, a bearing for each shaft between a plurality of said wipers, and means for centering andlocking said switches on said upright with the shaft of each switch in a horizontal plane.

HANS SENGEBUSCH. 

